Richmond Personal Injury Attorney
Most personal injury claims involve serious injuries that require long-term or on-going medical care for physical and psychological damage. These kinds of injuries do not clear up in a matter of days; in fact, they may never cease to cause you pain and distress as well as drain you finances and severely impact your ability to earn a living. Paralysis, burns, major fractures and extensive brain damage can all lead to long-term or lifelong suffering. If you have suffered any of these injuries are the result of another’s careless, reckless or dangerous actions, contact a Richmond personal injury lawyer who has a demonstrated record of success filing personal injury claims. For a general understanding of the types of circumstances that can lead to such injuries, and the types of claims that can be filed on your behalf, please read further.
Torts or Negligence Claims
Civil claims for these kinds of injuries generally fall into one of two areas in the law: torts or negligence. Torts are intentional wrongs for which a person can sue civilly and for which the wrongdoer may face additional criminal charges. In fact, civil suits for assault, battery, or wrongful death may stem from criminal cases against a defendant. Criminal conviction may heal society’s wounds, but it won’t address the lasting harm done to the individual victim. As a result, the victim of a crime should seek the assistance of a dedicated personal injury attorney in VA immediately after speaking with police and receiving medical treatment.
Negligence, meanwhile, is the breach of a legal duty that actually causes harm to another person or persons. Usually in negligence cases, there is no intent to injure; nevertheless, the defendant’s failure to adhere to his/her duty resulted in damage to someone else. Common examples of personal injury lawsuits which arise from negligent acts are slip and fall cases, auto accidents, and medical malpractice.
Common Types of Serious Injury Claims
Slips and Falls
Slip and fall injuries involve what is known as premises liability and duty of care. That is to say, the owner of the place where the injury occurred has a duty by law to maintain his or property for basic safety. In a grocery store, this would include the responsibility to keep floors clean and dry and to warn customers of the potential dangers posed by substances like cleaning solution or spilled liquids that might cause an unsuspecting shopper to slip and fall. In some extreme cases, slip and falls can lead to traumatic brain injuries, or even severe damage to the spinal cord, which can be costly and difficult to recover from fully.
For private residents, premises liability includes the responsibility of keeping the property’s walkways, yard and the structure itself free from any dangerous conditions that may cause an injury. A protruding sprinkler head in the front yard next to a city walkway or cracks and bumps in the driveway that must be crossed by mail carriers or others to enter the home could subject a homeowner to lawsuits based on premises liability. Suits that result from dog bites or other animal attacks would also fall under the duty to maintain one’s premises. To learn if your claim falls under this category of premises liability, speak with a Richmond personal injury lawyer today.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Auto accidents are another source of many lawsuits that result from negligent acts. In 2012, the Commonwealth of Virginia experienced a one percent increase in fatal motor vehicle crashes with the deaths of 775 reported that year, according the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). An additional 67,004 people were injured as a result of automobile collisions, which accounted for a six percent increase when compared with 2011 statistics, and a staggering 123,579 crashes were reported to authorities, indicating a 3 percent jump when compared with the previous year, according to a DMV report (.pdf). Given the heavy number of motorists traveling in and around Virginia and our nation’s capital, the report demonstrates the very real potential for serious injuries as a result of car accidents in the Arlington, VA area. If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash, it is important to know what your legal rights are. An experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer can assess your case and will work to ensure that your recovery is complete.
When a serious accident unfortunately results in the death of a loved one, the surviving relatives or family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for certain losses, including funeral expenses.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice is yet another negligence-based action common in courts across the country. It involves the failure of a doctor or hospital or nursing home to meet the standards that the profession and the community require for the safe practice of medicine. When that failure results in any harm to the patient, medical providers may be liable for the damages, including any of the patient’s medical bills, lost wages, loss of mobility from disability, and pain and suffering. Dealing with doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and their attorneys can be overwhelming for an injured patient. A Richmond personal injury attorney can evaluate the patient’s situation to determine the amount of damage done, provide necessary advice on who and how to sue and navigate the patient through the litigation process.
Product Liability
When a dangerous, defective, or improperly labeled product results in an injury, the victim may have a product liability case. Our VA personal injury attorneys understand the procedures necessary to file these sorts of claims, which are most often directed at large manufacturers or other big companies.
Contact a Richmond Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether the injury was the result of intentional or unintentional action, the services of strong legal counsel are always in a victim’s best interests. No matter how strong you think your case may be, the complexities of evidence, procedure, negotiation, and trial require the skill of a qualified attorney. To assess your case and determine what type of compensation you may be entitled to, call our firm today to set up a free consultation with one of our Richmond personal injury lawyers. Your first consultation is free of charge, and you will not pay a fee unless you are successful in your claim.